Fire Retardant Plants

While there are great lists of plants (including the following one) that can aid in fire prevention, there are some general ideas as to which plants can best do this. Fire-resistant plants generally have one or more of the following character traits: a high slat content, succulent leaves, thick bark, and dense crowns. These plants can provide not only fireprotection but food as well.

Carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua) are evergreen legumes native to the Mediterranean and Middle East. Their pods that are often used as substitutes for chocolate. They can be sown from seed, will generally grow where citrus thrives, but they don’t like soggy soil.

Mulberry trees (Morus sp.) produce lots of fruit, which is delicious for humans and beloved by birds. They are known to be invasive in some places, but they are both drought and salt tolerant. Mulberry can be readily propagated and multiplied with cuttings.

Chestnut trees (Castanea sativa) are high calorie producers, but they are also recognised wildfire survivors. They hold a lot of moisture and have no volatile oils. Chestnuts have the potential for being a staple food.

Cinnamon trees (Cinnamonum camphora) are tropical evergreens, native to Asia, and recognised for their culinary and medicinal uses. They have thick bark, as well as aromatic qualities and lumber potential. They are also drought-tolerant.

Linden trees (Tilia sp.) are throughout the Northern hemisphere. Their leaves are edible (and tasty), their flowers can be made into tea, and they are noted as good for honey production. There are different species, with something suitable for most climates.

Citrus trees are small, evergreen trees that hold plenty of moisture, as well as tolerate drier conditions. Of course, they provide an abundance of food and come in great variety outside of the mandarin-orange genre, including pomelos, grapefruits, and kumquats.

Feijoa trees (Acca sellowiana) are small, evergreen trees native to Brazil, but they have been spread to many places across the world. They provide delicious fruit, as well as tasty flowers. These are great, fire-resistant trees for growing a hedge.

Fig trees (Ficus sp) are another evergreen choice, one that is a good low-maintenance (very little pruning necessary) option with a white latex substance that protects them from heat. There are hundreds of varieties, fruiting and non-fruiting, to choose from.

Fruit trees in general tend to hold water well, thus make good fire-resistant choices. Stone fruits, such as cherries, plums, and peaches, as well as apples and pears can work well where water is available. Pomegranates and quinces are less thirsty.